In statements to Shana, Bowairi said the first train of gas refinery of phases 17&18 for sweetening would come online late December. He noted that launching the platform of phase 17 is in its final stage expressing hope its flare will be turned on in the next fifteen days amid making preparations for transferring sour gas to onshore facilities for sweetening.

According to the operator, development plan of South Pars gas field phases 17&18, excluding its satellite platforms, has made progress more than 91 percent.

Development plan of phases 17&18 is underway with the aim of producing 50 mcm of gas, 80 barrels of gas condensate and 400 tons of sulfur per day.

An Iranian consortium comprising Iran’s Industrial Development and Renovation Organization (IDRO), Oil Industries Engineering and Construction Company (OIEC) and Iran’s Offshore Engineering and Construction Company (IOEC) respectively with 48, 31 and 21 percent is in charge of developing the phases.